The Golisano Foundation, Special Olympics New York, and Best Buddies are coming together to host the fourth annual Festival of Inclusion on Saturday, March 1, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Golisano Training Center at Nazareth University, 4245 East Ave., Rochester.
The free event offers an inspirational day of interactive fun, games, and education, welcoming individuals of all ages and abilities to explore inclusive resources and services. No registration is required. The Festival of Inclusion kicks off the annual Spread the Word Inclusion campaign, which promotes respect, accessibility, and meaningful connections within communities.
Since its launch in 2020, the Festival of Inclusion has brought together individuals and families from across Western New York, connecting them with more than 80 organizations from New York and Florida that are dedicated to fostering acceptance, advocating for respectful language, and championing inclusive practices.
Attendees can explore a wide range of activities, including sports and fitness opportunities designed for all abilities, adaptive equipment demonstrations, live demos, and a sensory-friendly room to ensure a comfortable experience for everyone. Health and wellness services will also be available, including on-site dental care from Eastman Dental’s SMILEmobile and Special Olympics Health Screenings. Visitors can meet and interact with mini horses and other therapeutic animals, enjoy a variety of food trucks, and capture memories at the on-site photo booth. The event will also feature immersive virtual reality experiences, emergency vehicles to explore, and informational tables offering resources from college programs and medical specialists.
“The Golisano Foundation recognizes that the world is a better place when everyone is engaged and a part of it,” said Executive Director Erica Dayton. “Holding events like the Festival of Inclusion provides a fun, safe, and informative environment for people with and without disabilities to interact with each other through engaging activities while learning more about what our community has to offer to everyone. We look forward to welcoming the community to this inclusive setting to enjoy a few hours of fun and activities while learning more about the programs and services available in our community.”
Complimentary valet and parking assistance will be provided by Lakeview Valet, and free parking is available in Lots P and Q, adjacent to the Golisano Training Center.
Community inclusion stations featuring interactive and creative activities and demonstrations will take place inside the Center from the following regional organizations:
- Ability Partners (CP Rochester, Happiness House, Rochester Rehabilitation Center)
- ACEing Autism
- Al Sigl Community of Agencies
- Arc Alliance of The Arc of Monroe
- Arc GLOW
- Artists Unlimited
- AutismUp
- Bella’s Bumbas
- Best Buddies New York
- Camp Puzzle Peace / Autism Nature Trail
- Captain LJ Tomboy Adventures
- Catholic Charities Family and Community Services
- Central Library of Rochester & Monroe County
- Challenger Miracle Field of Greater Rochester
- Children’s Institute
- Classified Scanning and Shredding
- Crutches 4 Africa
- CUNY School of Public Health
- David’s Refuge
- Disability EmpowHer Network, Inc.
- Eastman Institute for Oral Health, University of Rochester
- EPI (Empowering People’s Independence)
- Endless Highway and Rochester Wheels
- EquiCenter
- Family Initiative
- Flower City Down Syndrome Network
- Genesee Land Trust
- Genesee Valley Audubon Society
- GiGi’s Playhouse Rochester
- Golisano Institute for Developmental Disability Nursing
- Golisano Restorative Neurology & Rehabilitation Center/ Rochester Regional Health
- Health Pozitive
- Heritage Christian Services
- Heritage Christian Stables
- Hillside
- Holy Childhood
- Homesteads for Hope
- Krystal’s Dance Centre
- Lifetime Assistance
- Lollypop Farm, Humane Society of Greater Rochester
- Love, Light & Yoga
- Mary Cariola Center
- Monroe One Educational Center
- Navigate MD
- Nazareth University Best Buddies
- NYS Dept of Environmental Conservation
- NYS Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation
- Parent to Parent of NYS
- Parents Helping Parents Coalition of Monroe County
- Person Centered Services
- Pittsford Interact Clubs
- Play Palace
- Prime Care Coordination
- Renew Hope and Healing
- RIT Archives StoryBooth
- RocDog
- Rochester Accessible Adventures
- Rochester Alternative Baseball
- Rochester Hearing and Speech Center
- Rochester Rookies Adaptive Track and Field
- Rochester Rotary Sunshine Camp
- Rochester Special Hockey
- School of Rock
- Seneca Park Zoo Society
- Special Olympics New York
- Special Olympics Genesee Region
- Spencer Special Needs Consulting Services
- Spotted Rabbit Creative Arts Therapy
- Starbridge
- Stony Point Art Studio
- Strike Back Martial Arts
- Students Success Project
- Syracuse University InclusiveU
- The Arc of Chemung-Schuyler
- The Arc of Allegany-Steuben
- The Arc of Monroe
- The Arc of Ontario
- The Arc of Wayne
- The Child Advocacy Center of Greater Rochester
- The Hochstein School
- The Legal Aid Society of Rochester, NY
- The Town of Victor Dept. of Parks and Recreation
- Trillium Health
- UR Medicine Sheftall Lab
- URMC Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics
- WXXI Public Media
More Festival of Inclusion Event Highlights
- Eastman Dental’s SMILEmobile providing on-site dental care
- Special Olympics Health Screenings promoting wellness for all
- Sports and fitness activities for all abilities
- Adaptive equipment demonstrations and live demos
- Sensory-friendly room for a comfortable experience
- Food trucks offering a variety of options
- Mini horses and other therapeutic animals
- Photo booth to capture the day’s memories
- Virtual reality experiences
- First responders and emergency vehicles to explore
- Informational tables featuring college programs and medical specialists
2025 Festival of Inclusion sponsors include the Golisano Foundation, Best Buddies, Special Olympics New York, Wegmans, Al Sigl Community of Agencies, Stitched Ink, Greater Rochester Health Foundation, McCarthy Tents and Events, Nazareth University, and Lakeview Valet.
This year’s Spread the Word Day of activation is Wednesday, March 5. The campaign was created 16 years ago and is intended to engage schools, organizations and communities to rally and pledge their support of inclusion and to promote respect and accept
Have all the Finger Lakes news from Finger Lakes News Radio delivered to your email every morning for FREE! Sign up by clicking here
